This Week's Newsletter

February 2, 2025

Director's Notes

ALL-STATE/DISTRICT AUDITIONS Congratulations to all of our students who auditioned for District/All-State Band this weekend! This is an incredibly demanding audition and we are one of (if not the) most competitive district in our state. Results should be posted on state website later today. District I Honor Band Results
RENTAL PAYMENTS Spring Instrument Rental payments are due for students who are playing HCMS instruments. Payments can be made by cash, check (HCMS Bands) or money order. Unfortunately, we cannot accept online payments for rentals at this time. Please communicate if you would like a receipt for your payment and I'll be sure it is sent home with your student. Thank you for your prompt assistance with this matter!
PERCUSSION PAYMENTS Our 7th/8th Grade Percussionists are asked to pay $100/year for percussion instruction and use of school percussion instruments. These funds are used to help replace/purchase new equipment for percussion throughout the year. I'll be sending out an email requesting your payment this week. Payments can be made by cash, check (HCMS Bands) or money order. Unfortunately, we cannot accept online payments for rentals at this time. Thank you for your prompt assistance with this matter!
SPIRIT NIGHT Our next Spirit Night for HCMS Bands will be THIS Tuesday, February 4 at Culver's Hampton Cove from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Culver's asks for student and adult volunteers to help deliver orders and wipe tables during these Spirit Nights. Please contact the HCMS Band Parents (hcovemsband@gmail.com) if you can assist!
SAVE THE DATE (SYMPHONIC BAND) Our 7th and 8th grade bands will be competing at Music Performance Assessment during the school day on either February 25! We will need parent chaperone help for this event, which will last for the full school day. Please email hcovemsband@gmail.com if you can help chaperone! This will be a required event for our 7th and 8th grade band members and we will be sure they have time to make up any missed assignments. We return by the end of the school day.
UNIFORMS Please be sure that your student has all pieces of the correct concert uniform - ESPECIALLY black dress shoes! Just like in sports, students who are not in full uniform will not be able to compete. If you have questions/concerns or need assistance in any way, please contact Ms. Parker or the Band Parents.
SECRET WORD CHALLENGE This week we have a secret word challenge for all band students. Any student that comes to Ms. Parker before/after class on Monday and says the word "crescendo" wins a prize! :)
SAVE THE DATE (ALL BAND STUDENTS) All band students (grades 6-8) have the exciting opportunity to perform at Solo & Ensemble Festival on Saturday, April 5 at Liberty Middle School. Students may perform one solo (per instrument) and up to three ensembles (duets, trios, quartets) if they so choose! We will be working on some options in our beginning band classes and have help sessions throughout the Spring. Please consider this wonderful opportunity!
PLAYING TESTS Our 7/8 Grade Bands will be assigned several playing tests in Schoology over the next few weeks. As we do not have a lot of additional scheduled performances this nine weeks, it is imperative students complete these tests to receive their grades! Deadlines are included on the Week at a Glance section below. Thank you for your help with this matter!
SUPPLIES Please be sure your student has all necessary items for band class, especially as we prepare for our big holiday concert. Clarinet and Saxophone players must have at least 3 good reeds at all times. Percussion (7th/8th Grade) must have a stick bag, yarn mallets, bell mallets, rubber mallets and drumsticks. Items may be purchased through the band program if it helps you. Please email Ms. Parker or Mr. Moran with questions.